Methods for a venting seal for battery modules in an electric aircraft

ABSTRACT

A method for a venting seal for battery modules in an electric aircraft is presented. The method includes sealing off, by an independent seal, a battery module of a plurality of battery modules from a vent conduit during typical operation, unsealing, by independent seal, the vent conduit as a function of a thermal event, disengaging, by a contactor of an electrical bridging device, at least a catalyst battery module from the remaining plurality of battery modules, and transferring, by the electrical bridging device, electrical energy across the remaining plurality of battery modules.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of Non-provisional application Ser.No. 17/564,391 filed on Dec. 29, 2021 and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODSFOR A VENTING SEAL FOR BATTERY MODULES IN AN ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT,” theentirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of ventilation. Inparticular, the present invention is directed to systems and methods fora venting seal for battery modules in an electric aircraft.

BACKGROUND

Batteries used to power an electric vehicle are aligned in deliberateconfigurations to provide electric power distribution among themultitude of electrical systems in the electric vehicle. Proper batterymanagement in an electric vehicle such as an electric aircraft iscrucial as thermal events experienced by the batteries may becatastrophic for an electric aircraft mid-flight. Current technologiesincorporate ventilation and cooling techniques to reduce the probabilityof thermal events or mitigate chemical chain reactions resulting fromthermal events. Proper insulation and isolation of individual componentsof the batteries are crucial in the management of thermal events andbatteries of an electric aircraft.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an aspect, a system for a venting seal for battery modules in anelectric aircraft is present. The system includes a plurality of batterymodules, wherein each battery module includes a vent conduit and anindependent seal. Independent seal is configured to seal off the batterymodule from the vent conduit during typical operation and unseal thevent conduit as a function of a thermal event. The system furtherincludes an electrical bridging device configured to disengage the atleast a catalyst battery module from the remaining plurality of batterymodules as a function of a contactor and transfer electrical energyacross the remaining plurality of battery modules.

In another aspect a method for a venting seal for battery modules in anelectric aircraft is presented. The method includes sealing off, by anindependent seal, a battery module of a plurality of battery modulesfrom a vent conduit during typical operation, unsealing, by independentseal, the vent conduit as a function of a thermal event, disengaging, bya contactor of an electrical bridging device, at least a catalystbattery module from the remaining plurality of battery modules, andtransferring, by the electrical bridging device, electrical energyacross the remaining plurality of battery modules.

These and other aspects and features of non-limiting embodiments of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art uponreview of the following description of specific non-limiting embodimentsof the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspectsof one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should beunderstood that the present invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system for aventing seal for battery modules in an electric aircraft;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a module monitorunit in one or more aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a battery packin one or more aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system for acontactor in a battery management in an electric aircraft;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for aventing seal for battery modules in an electric aircraft;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an exemplary electric aircraft;and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a computing system that can be used toimplement any one or more of the methodologies disclosed herein and anyone or more portions thereof.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated byphantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. Incertain instances, details that are not necessary for an understandingof the embodiments or that render other details difficult to perceivemay have been omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

At a high level, aspects of the present disclosure are directed tosystems and methods for a venting seal for battery modules in anelectric aircraft. The electric aircraft may include an electricvertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. In an embodiment, anelectrical bridging device may include an independent or singularstrip/path connecting the battery modules wherein the electricalbridging device may be comprised of mica layers and/or materials. Theelectrical bridging device may be configured to strip off a portion ofthe mica layer and form a seal to isolate one or more battery modulesexperiencing a chemical reaction. The venting seal may be comprised of aplurality of mica layers or any other similar materials with similarthermal, electrical, and mechanical properties. In another embodiment,the venting seal may be comprised of a plurality of mica sheets thatprovide electrical insulation and thermal conduction. In anotherembodiment, the mica layers of the venting seal may be flexible in orderto at least run across the plurality of battery modules and provideinsulation and/or conduction, The flexible properties may also allow fora portion of the venting seal to be stripped off and seal a ventilationchannel of a battery module, thereby isolating that battery module inthe event that the battery module experiences a thermal runaway. This isso, at least in part, to reduce, mitigate, and/or prevent a chemicalchain reaction normally pursuant of a thermal event. The mica sheetand/or layer may prevent chemicals and/or gases that may leak from abattery module experiencing a thermal runaway. Aspects of the presentdisclosure may allow for cooling of individual battery modules. In anembodiment, the contactor disconnect the battery module experiencingbattery modules experiencing chemical reactions indicating thermalrunaway. In an embodiment, some disconnect assembly may be incorporatedwith the contactor to physically disengage one or more battery modulesin the event of a thermal runaway. In some embodiments, the disconnectassembly and/or independent seal may include vent plugs, vent caps,etc., to trap the gases exhuming from those battery modules from therest of the battery systems. Aspects of the present disclosure may allowfor independent seal 136 to withstand some threshold of. The contactormay disconnect a portion of the electrical bridging device containing astrip of mica layer and seal off a battery module conducive to a thermalrunaway by wrapping some vent or channel connecting that battery moduleto the electrical bridging device. The seal may have flexible andresistive materials to withstand any exhuming chemicals, heat, gas, andthe like thereof, exhuming from the battery module to a certain extent.This is so, at least in part, to isolate the battery module conducive ofthermal runaway for some extended period of time until the batterymodule is properly attended to or replaced.

Aspects of the present disclosure can be used to cool one or morebattery modules in the event one or more battery modules indicatethermal runaway. In an embodiment, once such battery modules are sealedoff and isolated from the remaining functioning battery modules, a ventconduit may be formed wherein the gas, heat, and/or chemicals may bedriven out of the battery modules and out of the body of the electricaircraft. The vent conduit may be connected to a vent outlet configuredto expel such substances. In another embodiment, the vent conduit may beintegrated with cooling fins to allow for cooling of the battery modulesand redirecting the hot air, gas, chemicals, etc., out of the ventconduit and out of the electric aircraft as a function of the ventoutlet.

Aspects of the present disclosure allow for detecting and measuringthermal parameters by sensors integrated within the battery modules or abattery pack housing the battery modules. Each battery module mayinclude two distinct sensors such as two module monitor units. This isso, at least in part, to detect any discrepancies of thermal parametersproduced by a battery module. Ina n embodiment, a discrepancy mayindicate an unusual high rate of temperature increase which may beconducive of a thermal runaway. Aspects of the present disclosure mayinclude a computing device configured to receive data from the pluralityof module monitor units to determine a thermal runaway is present anddisconnect the battery modules associated with the thermal event as afunction of the contactor on the electrical bridging device. Thecontactor may seal off those battery modules. In another embodiment, thecomputing device may be configured to determine whether to seal off abattery module based on a threshold that discerns whether or not thethermal parameters produced by a battery module warrants it beingremoved from the rest of the battery modules in a battery pack.

Aspects of the present disclosure can be used to disengage electricalcommunication from and/or within a battery pack as a function of batterycondition. Aspects of the present disclosure can also be used to predictand prevent thermal runaway of at least a battery module. This is so, atleast in part, because disengaging electrical communication from and/orwithin a battery pack can prevent continued temperature risecharacteristic of thermal runaway. Aspects of the present disclosure canalso allow for safer air travel with electric aircraft. Exemplaryembodiments illustrating aspects of the present disclosure are describedbelow in the context of several specific examples

Referring now to FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a system 100 for aventing seal for battery modules in an electric is illustrated. System100 includes a plurality of battery modules 104. A “battery module,” asused in this disclosure, is a battery unit that contains a plurality ofbattery cells that have been wired together in series, parallel, or acombination of series and parallel, wherein the “battery module” holdsthe battery cells in a fixed position. For instance and withoutlimitation, battery module 104 may be consistent with any battery moduledisclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 17/404,500 and entitled, “STACKBATTERY PACK FOR ELECTRIC VERTICAL TAKE-OFF AND LANDING AIRCRAFT,” whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Alternatively oradditionally, battery module 104 may be consistent with the batterymodule in U.S. application Ser. No. 17/475,743, and entitled “BATTERYSYSTEM AND METHOD OF AN ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT WITH SPRING CONDUCTORS,” whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The plurality ofbattery modules may be housed within a battery pack. A “battery pack,”as used in this is an energy storage devices that includes a pluralityof battery modules. Persons skilled in the art, upon reviewing theentirety of this disclosure, will be aware of the various embodiments ofan energy storage device in the context of housing a plurality ofindividual battery modules.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , battery module 104 may include atleast an electrochemical cell. For the purposes of this disclosure, an“electrochemical cell” is a device capable of generating electricalenergy from chemical reactions or using electrical energy to causechemical reactions. Further, voltaic or galvanic cells areelectrochemical cells that generate electric current from chemicalreactions, while electrolytic cells generate chemical reactions viaelectrolysis. In some embodiments, battery module 104 may includecylindrical battery cells. For the purposes of this disclosure,cylindrical battery cells are round battery cells that have a largerheight than diameter. In some embodiments, battery module 104 mayinclude a pouch cell. As used in this disclosure, “pouch cell” is anybattery cell or module that includes a pocket. In some cases, a pouchcell may include or be referred to as a prismatic pouch cell, forexample when an overall shape of pouch is prismatic. In some cases, apouch cell may include a pouch which is substantially flexible.Alternatively or additionally, in some cases, a pouch may besubstantially rigid. In some cases, a pouch may include a polymer, suchas without limitation polyethylene, acrylic, polyester, and the like. Insome embodiments, a pouch may be coated with one or more coatings. Forexample, in some cases, a pouch may have an outer surface. In someembodiments, an outer surface may be coated with a metalizing coating,such as an aluminum or nickel containing coating. In some embodiments, apouch coating may be configured to electrically ground and/or isolatepouch, increase pouch impermeability, increase pouches resistance tohigh temperatures, increases pouches thermal resistance (insulation),and the like. An electrolyte may be located in a pouch. In someembodiments, an electrolyte may include a liquid, a solid, a gel, apaste, and/or a polymer. In some embodiments, an electrolyte may includea lithium salt such as LiPF6. In some embodiments, a lithium salt mayinclude lithium hexafluorophosphate, lithium tetrafluoroborate, lithiumperchlorate, or other lithium salts. In some embodiments, a lithium saltmay include an organic solvent. In some embodiments, an organic solventmay include ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate orother organic solvents. In some embodiments, an electrolyte may wet orcontact one or both of a pair of conductive tabs of a battery cell. A“conductive tab” as used in this disclosure is any protruding componentcapable of carrying a current.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , battery cells of the plurality ofbattery modules 108 may include, without limitation, a battery cellusing nickel-based chemistries such as nickel cadmium or nickel metalhydride, a battery cell using lithium-ion battery chemistries such as anickel cobalt aluminum (NCA), nickel manganese cobalt (NMC), lithiumiron phosphate (LiFePO4), lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), lithium manganeseoxide (LMO), a battery cell using lithium polymer technology, and/ormetal-air batteries. The battery cells may include lead-based batteriessuch as without limitation lead acid batteries and lead carbonbatteries. In a non-limiting embodiment, the battery cells may includelithium sulfur batteries, magnesium ion batteries, and/or sodium ionbatteries. In another non-limiting embodiment, the battery cells mayinclude solid state batteries or supercapacitors or another suitableenergy source. Persons skilled in the art, upon reviewing the entiretyof this disclosure, will be aware of various devices of components thatmay be used as a battery cell.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , battery module 104 a sensor. A“sensor,” for the purpose of this disclosure, is a device that isconfigured to detect an input and/or a phenomenon and transmitinformation related to the detection. In one or more embodiments, andwithout limitation, the sensor may include a plurality of sensors. Inone or more embodiments, and without limitation, the sensor may includeone or more temperature sensors, voltmeters, current sensors,hydrometers, infrared sensors, photoelectric sensors, ionization smokesensors, motion sensors, pressure sensors, radiation sensors, levelsensors, imaging devices, moisture sensors, gas and chemical sensors,flame sensors, electrical sensors, imaging sensors, force sensors, Hallsensors, and the like. The sensor may include any computing device asdescribed in the entirety of this disclosure and configured to convertand/or translate a plurality of signals detected into electrical signalsfor further analysis and/or manipulation. Electrical signals may includeanalog signals, digital signals, periodic or aperiodic signal, stepsignals, unit impulse signal, unit ramp signal, unit parabolic signal,signum function, exponential signal, rectangular signal, triangularsignal, sinusoidal signal, sinc function, or pulse width modulatedsignal. In a non-limiting embodiment, the sensor may include a pluralityof sensors comprised in a sensor suite. For example and withoutlimitation, the sensor may include flow sensors, temperature sensors,altimeters, pressure sensors, proximity sensors, airspeed indicators,position sensors, global positioning system (GPS), humidity sensors,level sensors, gas sensors, wireless sensor networks (WSN), compasses,magnetometers, altitude heading and reference systems (AHRSes),tachometers, etc. In a non-limiting embodiment, the sensor may becommunicatively connected to battery module 108. As used in thisdisclosure, “communicatively connected” is defined as a process wherebyone device, component, or circuit is able to receive data from and/ortransmit data to another device, component, or circuit; communicativeconnecting may be performed by wired or wireless electroniccommunication, either directly or by way of one or more interveningdevices or components. In an embodiment, communicative connectingincludes electrically coupling an output of one device, component, orcircuit to an input of another device, component, or circuit.Communicative connecting may include indirect connections via “wireless”connection, low power wide area network, radio communication, opticalcommunication, magnetic, capacitive, or optical coupling, or the like.At least pilot control may include buttons, switches, or other binaryinputs in addition to, or alternatively than digital controls aboutwhich a plurality of inputs may be received. Persons skilled in the art,upon reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, will be aware of thevarious embodiments of controlling a cursor for visual data manipulationfor purposes as described herein. Persons skilled in the art, uponreviewing the entirety of this disclosure, will also be aware of thevarious warning symbols that may be employed to grab the attention of apilot in the context of simulation consistently described in theentirety of this disclosure.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , in a non-limiting embodiment, the sensor mayinclude a moisture sensor. “Moisture”, as used in this disclosure, isthe presence of water, which may include vaporized water in air,condensation on the surfaces of objects, or concentrations of liquidwater. Moisture may include humidity. “Humidity”, as used in thisdisclosure, is the property of a gaseous medium (almost always air) tohold water in the form of vapor. In one or more embodiments, the sensormay include electrical sensors. Electrical sensors may be configured tomeasure voltage across a component, electrical current through acomponent, and resistance of a component. In one or more embodiments,the sensor may include thermocouples, thermistors, thermometers,infrared sensors, resistance temperature sensors (RTDs), semiconductorbased integrated circuits (ICs), a combination thereof, or anotherundisclosed sensor type, alone or in combination. Temperature, for thepurposes of this disclosure, and as would be appreciated by someone ofordinary skill in the art, is a measure of the heat energy of a system.Temperature, as measured by any number or combinations of sensorspresent within the sensor, may be measured in Fahrenheit (° F.), Celsius(° C.), Kelvin (° K), or another scale alone or in combination. Thetemperature measured by sensors may comprise electrical signals whichare transmitted to their appropriate destination wireless or through awired connection. Persons skilled in the art, upon reviewing theentirety of this disclosure, will be aware of the various embodiments ofa sensor in the context of measuring battery data.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , the sensor may transduce a detectedphenomenon, such as without limitation, temperature, voltage, current,pressure, and the like, into a sensed signal. The sensor may include amodule monitor unit (MMU) 108 as pictured in FIG. 2 . A “module monitorunit,” as used in this disclosure, is a sensing device configured todetect a plurality of inputs and/or phenomenon of the MMU. For instanceand without limitation, MMU 108 may be consistent with the MMU in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 17/529,447 and entitled, “MODULE MONITORUNIT FOR AN ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT BATTERY PACK AND METHODS OF USE,” which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Each battery module104 of the plurality of battery modules may include MMU 108. In anon-limiting embodiment, MMU 108 may be configured to detect a measuredbattery data and generate a thermal datum as a function of the measuredbattery data. A “measured battery data,” as used in this disclosure, isany thermal parameter and/or battery parameter related to battery module104. For example and without limitation, the measured battery data mayinclude voltage ratings, capacity ratings, state of charge (SoC) and/orbattery state of charge (BSoC), depth of discharge (DoD), charging anddischarging rates, charging and discharging regimes, and the likethereof. A “thermal datum,” as used in this disclosure, is a collectionof data that translates the measured battery data into electricalsignals comprising of information describing a battery module in atleast a readable form. Alternatively or additionally, any datum capturedby any sensor may include circuitry, computing devices, electroniccomponents or a combination thereof that translates into at least anelectronic signal configured to be transmitted to another electroniccomponent.

Alternatively or additionally, the sensor may include one or more packmonitor units (PMU) 124 a-b. A “pack monitor unit,” as used in thisdisclosure, is a device used to measure the parameters of the pluralityof battery modules in a battery pack. For instance and withoutlimitation, the PMU may be consistent with the PMU in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/529,583 and entitled, “PACK MONITORING UNIT FORAN ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT BATTERY PACK AND METHODS OF USE FOR BATTERYMANAGEMENT,” or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/529,44, the entiretyof both applications is hereby incorporated by reference. In anon-limiting embodiment, the battery pack may include two PMUs such asPMU 124 a and PMU 124B. Each PMU may be configured to measure a batterypack datum. A “battery pack datum,” for the purpose of this disclosure,is a collection of information describing one or more characteristicscorresponding to at least a portion of a battery pack of an electricaircraft. For instance and without limitation, the battery pack datummay be consistent with the battery pack datum in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/515,458 and entitled, “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGINGRESIDUAL ENERGY FOR AN ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT,” which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. In a non-limiting embodiment, PMU 124a and/or PMU 124B may be configured to measure the battery pack and/orthe plurality of battery modules, wherein each PMU generates its ownbattery pack datum. For instance, PMU 124 a may be triggered to measurethe battery pack and generate a battery pack datum. PMU 124B may betriggered to measure the battery pack and generate a battery pack datumafter some time interval such as 5 milliseconds. This is so, at least inpart, for some computing device to detect any discrepancies between thebattery pack datums of PMU 124 a and PMU 124B. In some embodiments, adiscrepancy may indicate some thermal event. Persons skilled in the art,upon reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, will be aware ofmeasuring the data of the same battery multiple times in the context ofdetecting discrepancies and thermal events.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , battery module 104 may include two MMUs 108,wherein each MMU is configured to detect and/or measure the same dataand/or parameters of battery module 104, but in different instances. Forexample and without limitation, one MMU may be triggered to measure dataof battery module 104 and the other MMU may be triggered to measure dataof the same battery module after some time interval, wherein the timeinterval may include short bursts of time such as 5 milliseconds. Thisis so, at least in a part, for some computing device to compare the datameasured by the two MMUs. For instance, ideally, the data measured bythe two MMUs may be identical or expectedly similar. Any significantchange in data may indicate a thermal event. A “thermal event,” as usedin this disclosure, is a chemical reaction indicating a substantial riseor acceleration in the increase of temperature of a battery module. In anon-limiting embodiment, the thermal event may include, but not limitedto, a thermal runaway, a short circuit, leakage of gas and/or chemicals,and the like thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the thermal eventmay include an indication of a thermal event. A “thermal runaway,” asused in this disclosure is the event in which heat generated within abattery module exceeds the amount of heat that is dissipated to itssurroundings. In a non-limiting embodiment, the thermal runaway mayinclude a chain reaction within battery module 104.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , system 100 may include anelectrical bridging device 112. An “electrical bridging device,” as usedin this disclosure, is a component including a metallic strip or barconfigured for local high current/voltage power distribution. Forinstance and without limitation, electrical bridging device 112 may beconsistent with the electrical bridging device in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/405,365, and entitled, “BATTERY ASSEMBLY FOR ANAIRCRAFT,” or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/564,361 and entitled,“SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LAMINATED BUSWORK WITH FLEXIBLE CONDUCTORS FORAN ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT,” both of which are incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety. Electrical bridging device 112 may beconfigured to connect the plurality of battery modules to each other. Ina non-limiting embodiment, electrical bridging device 112 may beconnected to both positive and negative terminals of each battery module104. In another non-limiting embodiment, electrical bridging device 112may be configured to connect a plurality of battery packs together.Electrical bridging device 112 may include a singular strip and/or pathconnecting the plurality of battery modules. The singular strip maycover each terminal post 132 of each battery module 104. In anon-limiting embodiment, battery module 104 may include a positiveterminal post and a negative terminal post. Electrical bridging device112 may be configured to form a ring with a singular strip of micalayers and/or sheets. Electrical bridging device 112 may be comprised ofmica materials. A “mica,” as used in this disclosure, is a group ofminerals whose outstanding physical characteristic is that individualmica crystals can easily be split into extremely thin elastic plates.The mica materials may provide insulation for each battery module 104.In a non-limiting embodiment, electrical bridging device 112 may beconfigured to transfer electrical energy across the plurality of batterymodules. Electrical bridging device 112 may be made up of a plurality ofmica layers and/or sheets. Persons skilled in the art, upon reviewingthe entirety of this disclosure, will be aware of the variousembodiments of mica materials in the context of thermal insulation andconduction.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , electrical bridging device 112 may be incontact with a contactor 116. A “contactor,” as used in this disclosure,is an electrical component configured to selectably disengage electricalcommunication. For instance and without limitation, contactor 116 may beconsistent with the contactor in U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/529,583. In some cases, a contactor may include a switch, a relay, asolenoid, a motor, or the like. At least a contactor may selectablydisengage electrical communication within at least a conductor. A“conductor,” as used in this disclosure, is any device that conductsthermal or electrical energy, such as a portion of electrical bridgingdevice 112. In some cases, a contactor may physically break a connectionwithin a conductor to disengage electrical communication. In someembodiments, a contactor may include an electrically-controlled switchused for switching an electrical power circuit. In some cases, acontactor may be controlled by a circuit having a much lower power levelthan a switched circuit which the contactor selectably disengages. Forinstance, a contactor 116 comprising 24-volt coil electromagnet solenoidmay switch a 230-volt motor circuit. Alternatively or additionally, insome cases, contactor 116 may be controlled in a non-electrical manner,such as without limitation pneumatically, hydraulically, mechanically,and the like. For example, without limitation in some cases, contactor116 may be driven by compressed air. In some cases, a contactor 116 maybe directly connected to high-current devices. For example, in somecases, a contactor 116 may switch more than 5 amperes or be used inelectrical circuits having an electrical load greater than a kilowatt.In some cases, contactor 116 may be normally open. As used in thisdisclosure, “normally open” refers to a default or uncontrolled statebeing open, unconnected, or disengaged. In some cases, contactor 116 maybe normally closed. As used in this disclosure, “normally closed” refersto a default or uncontrolled state being closed, connected, or engaged.In some embodiments, contactor 116 may be configured to control and/orsuppress an arc produced when engaging, disengaging, or interruptingheavy motor currents.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , contactor 116 may be configured todisengage at least a catalyst battery module as a function of a thermalevent. A “catalyst battery module,” as used in this disclosure is abattery module experiencing and/or indicative of a thermal event. In anon-limiting embodiment, one or more battery modules may be a catalystbattery module. In the event a thermal event is detected and/or one ormore catalyst battery module is identified, electrical bridging device112 may be configured to seal off the one or more catalyst batterymodules. In a non-limiting embodiment, electrical bridging device 112may seal off some port from battery module 104 connecting to electricalbridging device 112 using mica materials. Battery module 104 may includea terminal post 132. A “terminal post,” as used in this disclosure, is aport that attaches a battery module to an electrical bridging device.Terminal post 132 may be comprised of conductive materials to transferelectrical energy from battery module 132 and distributed to a pluralityof flight components as a function of electrical bridging device 112,wherein electrical bridging device 112 allows for distributed electricalenergy. A “flight component,” as used in this disclosure, is anycomponent related to, and mechanically connected to an aircraft thatmanipulates a fluid medium in order to propel and maneuver the aircraftthrough the fluid medium. For example and without limitation, a flightcomponent may include, propellers, vertical propulsors, forward pushers,landing gears, rudders, motors, rotors, and the like thereof. Terminalpost 132 may include a positive terminal post and a negative terminalpost. Terminal post 132 may include an intake tube which is exposed toelectrical bridging device 112, while vent conduit 120 is an exhausttube. In a non-limiting embodiment, battery module 104 may include avent conduit 120. A “vent conduit,” as used in this disclosure, passageallowing ejecta and other material to exit from a device. For thepurposes of this disclosure “fluidly connected” means that fluid is ableto flow from one of the fluidly connected elements to the other,notwithstanding any elements that temporarily or optionally restrictfluid flow, such as, as non-limiting examples, a check valve or apressure disk. For instance and without limitation, vent conduit 120 maybe consistent with the vent conduit in U.S. patent application Ser. No.XX/XXX,XX and entitled, “A SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT BATTERY VENTINGUSING A VENT CONDUIT FIELD OF THE INVENTION,” which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , vent conduit 120 may be made of amaterial capable of withstanding the temperatures of the aircraft and/orbattery module 104. As a non-limiting example, the vent conduit 120 maybe made of a material that is capable of withstanding battery ejectathat may be produced by battery module 104. In some embodiments, ventconduit 120 may be made of a polymer. As a non-limiting example, ventconduit 120 may be made of carbon fiber. As another non-limitingexample, vent conduit 120 may be made of a carbon fiber composite.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , vent conduit 120 may have a flowpath. The flow path represents a hypothetical path that a battery ejectaand other fluid may take when it transits vent conduit 120. A “batteryejecta,” as used in this disclosure, is any material that is forced orthrown out of a battery module as a result of a thermal event. The flowpath may have a variety of profiles. In some embodiments, the flow pathmay be designed such that the battery ejecta and other fluid transitsvent conduit 120 using the force of gravity. In some embodiments, theflow path may be linear and decreasing. In some embodiments, the flowpath may have multiple different slopes. As a non-limiting example, theflow path may have a first section with a greater negative slope and asecond section with a smaller negative slope. In some embodiments, theflow path may be concave. In some embodiments, the flow path may beconvex. In some embodiments, the flow path may be vertical.Alternatively or additionally, vent conduit 120 may include a containerconfigured to house battery module 104. The container may be comprisedto glass with concentrated solution of sodium bicarbonate applied tomoistened pads attached to the walls of the container. One of ordinaryskill in the art, having reviewed the entirety of this disclosure, wouldappreciate that a variety of the flow path are possible.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , terminal post 132 of each battery module 104may be communicatively connected to contactor 116 as a function ofelectrical bridging device 112. In a non-limiting embodiment, contactor116 and/or electrical bridging device 112 may seal off terminal post 132of at least a catalyst battery module. For example and withoutlimitation, contactor 116 may incorporate any switch, load, relay,disconnecting mechanism, and the like thereof, to detach any batterymodule such as the at least a catalyst battery module from the system.The remaining plurality of battery modules are thus unaffected by the atleast a catalyst battery module and its thermal event. In a non-limitingembodiment, electrical bridging device 112 and/or contactor 116 mayreestablish electrical connection with the remaining plurality ofbattery modules. An “electrical connection,” as used in this disclosureis a medium in which electrical energy may flow through. In anon-limiting embodiment, electrical bridging device 112 may temporarilyhalt electrical connection using contactor 116 in order to isolateand/or disengage the at least a catalyst battery module and reestablishelectrical connection among the plurality of remaining battery modules.In another non-limiting embodiment, electrical bridging device 112 mayisolate and/or disengage the at least a catalyst battery module from theremaining plurality of battery modules without interrupting the transferof electrical energy from remaining plurality of battery modules.Persons skilled in the art, upon reviewing the entirety of thisdisclosure, will be aware of the various embodiments of maintainingconsistent transfer of electrical energy in the context of the isolationof a disruptive element.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , an independent seal 136 may sealoff the at least a catalyst battery module. An “independent seal,” asused in disclosure, is a fastening and/or closing device used to containany substance exhuming from battery module 104. In a non-limitingembodiment, independent seal 136 may also isolate at least a catalystbattery module in the event of a thermal event. Independent seal may becomprised of insulation materials and/or a plurality of layers ofinsulation materials. Independent seal 136 may be comprised of micamaterials and/or layers of mica materials. In a non-limiting embodiment,the material makeup of independent seal 136 may be highly heatresistant. For example and without limitation, independent seal 136 mayinclude a thin layer and/or plurality of thin layers of mica that mayallow, to a certain degree and/or capacity, contain the heat of batterymodule 104 during typical operation by sealing off battery module 104from the remaining plurality of battery modules. This is so, at least inpart, so that each battery module may have some independence from eachother but also prevent unnecessary influence on each other. Theelectrical connection may be reestablished as a function of anymechanism, switch, load, or combination thereof. As used in thisdisclosure, a “typical operation,” is any operation by an electricaircraft in which no thermal event has occurred. In a non-limitingembodiment, independent seal 136 may be configured to seal batterymodule 104 from vent conduit 120 in order to isolate each battery modulefrom each other and circulate heat within each battery module'scompartment.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , independent layer 136 may include a singularstrip and/or path configured to seal an opening for ventilation such asvent conduit 120 for each battery module 104. In a non-limitingembodiment, independent seal 136 may include a portion of mica layersused to form independent seal 136 over an opening to vent conduit 120.For example and without limitation, each vent conduit 120 may be sealedby independent seal initially. This is so, at least in part, to isolateeach battery module with its own battery ejecta heat, chemicals, gases,or combination thereof, and avoid leaking any excess material or heat toaffect the remaining plurality of battery modules and system 100 as awhole. In a non-limiting embodiment, independent seal 136 may includehighly heat resistant, durable, and flexible properties in order towithstand, to a certain degree, the excess battery ejecta, hightemperature, chemicals, gases, etc., of battery module 104. The thermalevent of the at least a catalyst battery may then be exposed to ventconduit 120 as a result of independent seal 136 being unsealed. This isso, at least in part to remove the battery ejecta and provideventilation of the at least a catalyst module while also preventing anycontamination of the remaining plurality of battery modules. In otherwords, independent seal 136 may be configured to allow the cooling andventilation of the at least a catalyst battery module causing thethermal event and preventing it from heating up while unaffecting theremaining plurality of battery modules. Persons skilled in the art, uponreviewing the entirety of this disclosure, will be aware of the variousembodiments of using a seal to ventilate a battery module in the eventof a thermal event for purposes as described herein.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , independent seal 136 may beunsealed as a function of a thermal event. In a non-limiting embodiment,independent seal 135 may melt, deteriorate, weaken, or the like, or thelike, allowing for the cooling and ventilation of the at least acatalyst battery module. In another non-limiting embodiment, independentseal 136 may include a plurality of thin mica layers that may beconfigured to break apart and/or fracture as a function of the pressureand are impact of battery ejecta from the at least a catalyst battermodule. For example and without limitation, independent seal 136 may behighly resistive but thin enough for it to fracture and/or break apartand allow for the cooling and ventilation of the at least a catalystbattery module. The existence of the battery ejecta causing highpressure and/or impact to break apart and/or fracture independent seal136 may result from a thermal event. In another non-limiting embodiment,independent seal 136 may be unsealed as a function of a disconnectassembly upon exposure to high heat and/or pressure exceeding somethermal threshold. The disconnect assembly may include, but not limitedto, a check valve and/or bilayer piece of material. For example andwithout limitation, the disconnect assembly may include an inner layerthat facies towards the battery module may have a higher coefficient ofthermal expansion than an outer layer so that the inner layer may peal,melt, and/or pop out in the event of a thermal event. Persons skilled inthe art, upon reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, will be awareof the various embodiments of a seal in the context of ventilation.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , vent conduit 120 is also fluidly connectedto a vent outlet. For the purposes of this disclosure, a “vent outlet”is an opening through which material carried by a vent conduit can exita device. Vent conduit 120 may have any cross-sectional shape configuredto allow battery ejecta and other fluids to move to the vent outlet andout of the body of the electric aircraft. The cross section of ventconduit 120 may be circular, rectangular, trapezoidal, elliptical,triangular, irregular, square, and the like. In the event a thermalevent has occurred and independent seal 136 has sealed off terminal port132 of the at least a catalyst battery module, only one valve/port maybe open, such as vent conduit 120 in which the battery ejecta may travelthrough and exit out of the vent outlet and out of the body of theelectric aircraft. A person of ordinary skill in the art would, afterreviewing the entirety of this disclosure, appreciate that a widevariety of cross-section shapes are possible.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , vent conduit 120 may include acooling device configured to allow cooling of the at least a catalystbattery module. A “cooling device,” as used in this disclosure, is adevice used to provide cooling to high temperature devices. The coolingdevice may include cooling fins. As used this disclosure, “cooling fins”are devices used to drive cool air into a contained space and expel hotair out of a vent conduit. For instance and without limitation, thecooling fins may be consistent with the cooling fins in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/563,331. The cooling device may work in tandemwith the vent plug to manage the at least a catalyst battery module.Persons skilled in the art, upon reviewing the entirety of thisdisclosure, will be aware of the various embodiments of cooling devicesin the context of providing ventilation and management of batteries.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , contactor 116 may be configured todisengage the at least a catalyst battery module as a function of athermal threshold. A “thermal threshold,” as used in this disclosure, isa concentration of thermal and/or battery parameters to which someresponse is warranted. For example and without limitation, the thermalthreshold may include an upper value limit of some thermal and/orbattery temperatures in which MMU 108 and/or PMU 124 a-b may detect somedegree of discrepancy that denotes the thermal event. In anotherexample, the battery pack datum and/or thermal datum may be analyzed bycomputing device 128 and determine a thermal event has occurred based onthe thermal threshold and disengage the at least a catalyst batterymodule responsible for the thermal event using contactor 116 and/orindependent seal 136. In a non-limiting embodiment, the properties ofindependent seal 136 may be consistent with the thermal threshold and beconfigured to melt, deteriorate, and/or burst in the event the thermalthreshold has been exceeded.

Alternatively or additionally, system 100 may include a disconnectassembly. A “disconnect assembly,” as used in this disclosure, is adevice used to disengage a battery module from the electrical bridgingdevice. In a non-limiting embodiment, each battery module 104 may beconnected to a disconnect assembly of a plurality of disconnectassemblies. In another non-limiting embodiment, the disconnect assemblymay be communicatively connected to terminal post 132 and/or ventconduit 120 of battery module 104. In another non-limiting embodiment,the disconnect assembly may include receptacles configured to cover theterminal post 132 of battery module 104. The disconnect assembly may beconfigured to prevent accidental shorting during the installation andremoval of battery module 104. In a non-limiting embodiment, thedisconnect assembly may include some mechanism configured to applyindependent seal 136 on terminal post 132 and/or the at least atcatalyst battery module. In a non-limiting embodiment, the disconnectassembly may include a vent plug configured to regulate the exhaust ofthe battery ejecta of the at least a catalyst battery module. A “ventplug,” as used in this disclosure, is a device used to screw into someport such as a portion of a vent conduit of a battery module. In anon-limiting embodiment, the vent plug may initially be screwed tightlyin some housing to prevent excess heat, gas, chemicals, and the likethereof, from escaping battery module 104 or escaping from a separatecontainer housing individual battery modules. The disconnect assemblymay be configured to tightly screw and/or loosen the screw of the ventplug based on some thermal event. For example and without limitation, inthe event of a thermal event and/or in the event of a thermal event isimminent, the disconnect assembly may loosen the vent plug, therebyopening some vent and/or path to vent conduit 120 so that the batteryejecta of the at least a catalyst battery module may escape. Thedisconnect assembly may control the vent plug to manage the release ofbattery ejecta and/or manage the cooling of battery module 104. Personsskilled in the art, upon reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, willbe aware of the various embodiments of some disconnect assembly managingthe exhaust of materials from a vent in the context of ventilation.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , contactor 116 may be configured toreestablish an electrical connection as a function of breaking off theat least a catalyst battery module. For example and without limitation,contactor 116 may reestablish electrical connections with only theremaining plurality of batter modules and excluding any catalyst batterymodule of the system. The electrical connection may be temporarilydisconnected during a detected thermal event and/or determination of atleast a catalyst battery module. In another non-limiting embodiment,contactor 116 may be configured to communicate with MMU 108 and/or anythermal sensor to detect when the temperature of a battery module 104has dropped below some lower value of the thermal threshold prior toreconnection. Persons skilled in the art, upon reviewing the entirety ofthis disclosure, will be aware of the various embodiments of isolatingand maintaining connection in the context of thermal runaway events.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the disconnect assembly may include somedevice and/or mechanism to reconnect electrical bridging device 112 as afunction of a portion of it being used to form independent seal 136 toisolate the at least a catalyst battery module. In a non-limitingembodiment, electrical bridging device 112 may include a singular stripof mica materials, layers, sheets, or combination thereof, wherein thesingular strip is wide enough wherein a portion of it that is used toisolate the at least a catalyst battery module, by covering terminalpost 132 with a stripped off portion of mica of electrical bridgingdevice 112, may not cut electrical bridging device 112 into more thanone singular strip and/or piece. For example and without limitation,terminal post 132 may include an intake tube with a circular opening,wherein a circular portion of mica of electrical bridging device 112 maybe removed to seal off the at least a catalyst battery module and fromindependent seal 136. The circular portion removed from the mica ofelectrical bridging device 112 may not be large enough to separateelectrical bridging device 112 into two or more separate strips. Personsskilled in the art, upon reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, willbe aware of the various shapes and embodiments of electrical bridgingdevice 112 in the context of maintaining structure.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , a computing device 128 may becommunicatively connected to MMU 108 and/or a plurality of MMUs of theplurality of battery modules. Alternatively or additionally, computingdevice 128 may be communicatively connected to PMU 124 a and PMU 124B,wherein each PMU is connected to the plurality of battery modules and/orMMUs. In a non-limiting embodiment, computing device 128 may include anycomputing device as described in this disclosure, including withoutlimitation a microcontroller, microprocessor, digital signal processor(DSP) and/or system on a chip (SoC) as described in this disclosure. Ina non-limiting embodiment, computing device 128 may include a flightcontroller, wherein the flight controller. Computing device 128 mayinclude, be included in, and/or communicate with a mobile device such asa mobile telephone or smartphone. computing device 128 may include asingle computing device operating independently, or may include two ormore computing device operating in concert, in parallel, sequentially orthe like; two or more computing devices may be included together in asingle computing device or in two or more computing devices. computingdevice 128 may interface or communicate with one or more additionaldevices as described below in further detail via a network interfacedevice. Network interface device may be utilized for connectingcomputing device 128 to one or more of a variety of networks, and one ormore devices. Examples of a network interface device include, but arenot limited to, a network interface card (e.g., a mobile networkinterface card, a LAN card), a modem, and any combination thereof.Examples of a network include, but are not limited to, a wide areanetwork (e.g., the Internet, an enterprise network), a local areanetwork (e.g., a network associated with an office, a building, a campusor other relatively small geographic space), a telephone network, a datanetwork associated with a telephone/voice provider (e.g., a mobilecommunications provider data and/or voice network), a direct connectionbetween two computing devices, and any combinations thereof. A networkmay employ a wired and/or a wireless mode of communication. In general,any network topology may be used. Information (e.g., data, softwareetc.) may be communicated to and/or from a computer and/or a computingdevice. computing device 128 may include but is not limited to, forexample, a computing device or cluster of computing devices in a firstlocation and a second computing device or cluster of computing devicesin a second location. computing device 128 may include one or morecomputing devices dedicated to data storage, security, distribution oftraffic for load balancing, and the like. computing device 128 maydistribute one or more computing tasks as described below across aplurality of computing devices of computing device, which may operate inparallel, in series, redundantly, or in any other manner used fordistribution of tasks or memory between computing devices. computingdevice 128 may be implemented using a “shared nothing” architecture inwhich data is cached at the worker, in an embodiment, this may enablescalability of system 100 and/or computing device.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , computing device 128 may bedesigned and/or configured to perform any method, method step, orsequence of method steps in any embodiment described in this disclosure,in any order and with any degree of repetition. For instance, computingdevice 128 may be configured to perform a single step or sequencerepeatedly until a desired or commanded outcome is achieved; repetitionof a step or a sequence of steps may be performed iteratively and/orrecursively using outputs of previous repetitions as inputs tosubsequent repetitions, aggregating inputs and/or outputs of repetitionsto produce an aggregate result, reduction or decrement of one or morevariables such as global variables, and/or division of a largerprocessing task into a set of iteratively addressed smaller processingtasks. computing device 128 may perform any step or sequence of steps asdescribed in this disclosure in parallel, such as simultaneously and/orsubstantially simultaneously performing a step two or more times usingtwo or more parallel threads, processor cores, or the like; division oftasks between parallel threads and/or processes may be performedaccording to any protocol suitable for division of tasks betweeniterations. Persons skilled in the art, upon reviewing the entirety ofthis disclosure, will be aware of various ways in which steps, sequencesof steps, processing tasks, and/or data may be subdivided, shared, orotherwise dealt with using iteration, recursion, and/or parallelprocessing.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , computing device 128 may beconfigured to determine a thermal event. The thermal event may bedetermined as a function of the thermal datum from the plurality ofMMUs. In a non-limiting embodiment, computing device 128 may determinethe thermal event as a function of the thermal threshold. Computingdevice 128 may compare the thermal datum and determine whether or notthe battery and/or thermal parameters indicate a discrepancy indicatinga thermal event, in which the computing device 128 may instructcontactor 116 to isolate the at least a catalyst battery module as afunction of the identification of the thermal event and the at least acatalyst battery module based on the thermal threshold.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , an exemplary embodiment of a module monitorunit (MMU) 200 is presented in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the present disclosure. MMU 200 may be consistent with any MMU asdescribed in the entirety of this disclosure such as, but not limitedto, MMU 104. In one or more embodiments, MMU 200 is configured tomonitor an operating condition of a battery pack 204. For example, andwithout limitation, MMU 200 may monitor an operating condition of abattery module 208 and/or a battery cell 212 of battery pack 204. Forinstance and without limitation, battery module 208 may be consistentwith any battery module as described herein such as, but not limited to,battery module 108. In one or more embodiments, MMU 200 may be attachedto battery module 208, as shown in FIG. 2 . For example, and withoutlimitation, MMU 200 may include a housing 216 that is attached tobattery module 208, where circuit of MMU 200 may be disposed at leastpartially therein, as discussed further in this disclosure. In one ormore embodiments, a housing may include a polymer, stainless steel,carbon steel, fiberglass, and polycarbonate. In other embodiments, MMU200 may be remote to battery module 208.

In one or more embodiments, a plurality of MMUs 200 may be configured tomonitor battery module 208 and/or battery cell 212. For instance, andwithout limitation, a first MMU 200 a may be position at one end ofbattery module 208, and a second MMU 200 b may be positioned at anopposing end of battery module 208. This arrangement may allow forredundancy in monitoring of battery cell 212. For example, and withoutlimitation, if first MMU 200 a fails, then second MMU 200 b may continueto work properly and monitor the operating condition of each batterycell 212 of battery module 208. In one or more embodiments, MMU 200 maymonitor the operating condition of a plurality of battery cells, asshown in FIG. 2 .

In one or more embodiments, MMU 200 is configured to detect ameasurement parameter of battery module 208. For the purposes of thisdisclosure, a “measurement parameter” is detected electrical or physicalinput, characteristic, and/or phenomenon related to a state of batterypack 204 and/or components thereof. For example, and without limitation,a measurement parameter may be a temperature, a voltage, a current, amoisture level/humidity, a gas level, or the like, as discussed furtherin this disclosure. In one or more embodiments, MMU 200 may beconfigured to perform cell balancing and/or load sharing during thecharging of battery pack 204. Cell balancing may be used when a batterymodule includes a plurality of battery cells 212. Cell unbalanceincludes variances in charge and discharge of each battery celldepending on an operating condition of each battery cell 212. Cellunbalance may result in damage, such as degradation or premature chargetermination, of a battery cell. For example, a battery cell with ahigher SOC than other battery cells may be exposed to overvoltage duringcharging. Cell balancing may include compensating for a variance in SOC,internal impedance, total chemical capacity, or the like. For instance,MMU 200 may perform cell balancing for SOC and thus regulate voltageinput of battery cells 212. For instance, and without limitation,charging of battery pack 204 may be shared throughout a plurality ofbattery cells 212 by directing electrical power through balanceresistors and dissipating voltage through resistors as heat. Forexample, and without limitation, resistor may include a nonlinearresistor, such as a thermistor 220. Thermistor 220 may be configured toprovide cell balancing by reducing a voltage supplied to a battery cellof the battery module. The reduction in the voltage supplied to thebattery cell may be achieved via heat dissipation. In one or morenon-limiting embodiments, MMU 200 may detect the charge of each batteryand thermistors 220 of MMU 200 may be configured to reduce a currentand/or voltage supplied to a battery cell 212 as a function of atemperature of the thermistor. For example, and without limitation, if abattery cell is being overcharged then the temperature of the connectedcircuit and thermistor may also experience and increase in temperature;as a result the thermistor may increase in resistance and a fraction ofthe supplied voltage across the thermistor will also change, whichresults in a decrease in voltage received by the battery cell. In thismanner, battery cells 212 may be charged evenly during recharging and/orcharging of battery pack 204 by, for example, a charging station or anelectric grid. For example, and without limitation, battery cells with alower SOC will charge more than battery cells with a greater SOC bythermistors 220 dissipating voltage to the battery cells with thegreater SOC. In one or more embodiments, cell balancing may be equallydistributed, where each battery cell receives an equal amount ofelectricity depending on how many amps are available from the chargerand how many cells need to be charged. For example, and withoutlimitation, a current may be equally distributed to each battery cell byMMU 200. In another embodiment, MMU 200 may detect an SOC of eachbattery cell and distribute current to each battery cell in variousamounts as a function of the detected SOC of each battery cell. Forexample, and without limitation, MMU may detect that a first batterycell has an SOC of 20% and a second battery cell has as SOC of 80%.During recharging, the current and/or voltage to the first battery maybe increased so that first battery cell is charged faster than thesecond battery cell. In one or more non-limiting embodiments, once firstbattery cell is at the same SOC as the second battery cell duringrecharging, distribution of current and/or voltage to each battery cellmay be adjusted again so that the first battery cell and the secondbattery cell receive an equal charge.

With continued reference to FIG. 2 , in a non-limiting embodiment, MMU200 is configured to monitor a temperature of battery module 208. Forexample, MMU 200 may include a sensor 224 configured to detect atemperature parameter of battery cell 212. Sensor 224 may be consistentwith any senor as described in the entirety of this disclosure. Forexample, and without limitation, sensor 224 may include thermistor 220,which may be used to measure a temperature parameter of battery cell212. As used in this disclosure, a thermistor includes a resistor havinga resistance dependent on temperature. In one or more embodiments,sensor 224 may include circuitry configured to generate an MMU datumcorrelated to the detected measurement parameter, such as a temperatureof battery cell 212 detected by thermistor 220. An “MMU datum,” as usedin this disclosure, is a collection of information describing themeasurement parameters of battery cell 212. The MMU datum may includeany data describing the functionality, quality, and performance of MMU200 and/or sensor 224. In a non-limiting embodiment, MMU 200 a and MMU200 b may generate their respective MMU datums. This is so, at least inpart, to compare the MMU datum measured by MMU 200 a and the MMU datummeasured by MMU 200 b. In a non-limiting embodiment, the comparison mayindicate one or more discrepancies related to the measurement parameterswhich may further indicate some thermal event. A thermistor may includemetallic oxides, epoxy, glass, and the like. A thermistor may include anegative temperature coefficient (NTC) or a positive temperaturecoefficient (PTC). Thermistors may be beneficial do to being durable,compact, inexpensive, and relatively accurate. In one or moreembodiments, a plurality of thermistors 220 may be used to provideredundant measuring of a state of battery cell 212, such as temperature.In other embodiments, MMU 200 may also include a resistance temperaturedetector (RTD), integrated circuit, thermocouple, thermometer,microbolometer, a thermopile infrared sensor, and/or other temperatureand/or thermal sensors, as discussed further below in this disclosure.In one or more embodiments, thermistor 220 may detect a temperature ofbattery cell 212. Subsequently, MMU 200 may generate a sensor signaloutput containing information related to the detected temperature ofbattery cell 212. In one or more embodiments, sensor signal output mayinclude the MMU datum containing information representing a detectedmeasurement parameter.

Still referring to FIG. 2 , sensor 224 may include a sensor suite 200(shown in FIG. 2 ) or one or more individual sensors, which may include,but are not limited to, one or more temperature sensors, voltmeters,current sensors, hydrometers, infrared sensors, photoelectric sensors,ionization smoke sensors, motion sensors, pressure sensors, radiationsensors, level sensors, imaging devices, moisture sensors, gas andchemical sensors, flame sensors, electrical sensors, imaging sensors,force sensors, Hall sensors, airspeed sensors, throttle positionsensors, and the like. Sensor 224 may be a contact or a non-contactsensor. For example, and without limitation, sensor 224 may be connectedto battery module 208 and/or battery cell 212. In other embodiments,sensor 224 may be remote to battery module and/or battery cell 212.Sensor 224 may be communicatively connected to controller 320 of PMU 312(shown in FIG. 3 ) so that sensor 224 may transmit/receive signalsto/from controller 320, respectively, as discussed below in thisdisclosure. Signals, such as signals of sensor 224 and controller 320,may include electrical, electromagnetic, visual, audio, radio waves, oranother undisclosed signal type alone or in combination. In one or moreembodiments, communicatively connecting is a process whereby one device,component, or circuit is able to receive data from and/or transmit datato another device, component, or circuit. In an embodiment,communicative connecting includes electrically connecting at least anoutput of one device, component, or circuit to at least an input ofanother device, component, or circuit.

In one or more embodiments, MMU 200 may include a control circuit thatprocesses the received MMU datum from sensor 224, MMU 100 a, and/or MMU100 b. In one or more embodiments, control circuit may be configured toperform and/or direct any actions performed by MMU 200 and/or any othercomponent and/or element described in this disclosure. Control circuitmay include any analog or digital control circuit, including withoutlimitation a combinational and/or synchronous logic circuit, aprocessor, microprocessor, microcontroller, any combination thereof, orthe like. In one or more embodiments, control circuit may be solelyconstructed from hardware; thus, control circuit may perform withoutusing software. Not relying on software may increase durability andspeed of control circuit while reducing costs. For example, and withoutlimitations, control circuit may include logic gates and/or thermistors,as discussed further in this disclosure. In some embodiments, controlcircuit 228 may be integrated into MMU 200, as shown in FIG. 2 . Inother embodiments, control circuit 228 may be remote to MMU 200. In oneor more nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, if the MMU datum of atemperature of a battery module 208, such as at a terminal 232, ishigher than a predetermined threshold, control circuit 228 may determinethat the temperature of battery cell 212 indicates a critical event andthus is malfunctioning. For example, a high voltage (HV) electricalconnection of battery module terminal 232 may be short circuiting. Ifcontrol circuit 228 determines that a HV electrical connection ismalfunctioning, control circuit 228 may terminate a physical and/orelectrical communication of the HV electrical connection to prevent adangerous or detrimental reaction, such as a short, that may result inan electrical shock, damage to battery pack 204, or even a fire. Thus,control circuit 228 may trip a circuit of battery pack 204 and terminatepower flow through the faulty battery module 208 until the detectedfault is corrected and/or the excessively high temperature is no longerdetected. Temperature sensors, such as thermistor 220 may assist in themonitoring of a cell group's overall temperature, an individual batterycell's temperature, and/or battery module's temperature, as justdescribed above.

In one or more embodiments, MMU 200 may not use software. For example,MMU 200 may not use software to improve reliability and durability ofMMU 200. Rather, MMU 200 may be communicatively connected to a remotecomputing device, such as computing device 800 of FIG. 8 . In one ormore embodiments, MMU 200 may include one or more circuits and/orcircuit elements, including without limitation a printed circuit boardcomponent, aligned with a first side of battery module 208 and theopenings correlating to battery cells 212. In one or more embodiments,MMU 200 may be communicatively connected to a remote processing module,such as a controller. Controller may be configured to performappropriate processing of detected temperature characteristics by sensor224. In one or more embodiments, controller ** may include anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gatearray (FPGA), a central processing unit (CPU), readout integratedcircuit (ROIC), or the like, and may be configured to performcharacteristic processing to determine a temperature and/or criticalevent of battery module 208. In these and other embodiments, controllermay operate in conjunction with other components, such as, a memorycomponent, where a memory component includes a volatile memory and/or anon-volatile memory.

In one or more embodiments, each MMU 200 may communicate with anotherMMU 200 and/or a controller via a communicative connection 236. Each MMUmay use a wireless and/or wired connection to communicated with eachother. For example, and without limitation, MMU 200 a may communicatewith an adjacent MMU 200 a using an isoSPI connection 304. As understoodby one skilled in the art, and isoSPI connection may include atransformer to magnetically connect and electrically isolate a signalbetween communicating devices. Persons skilled in the art, uponreviewing the entirety of this disclosure, will be aware of the variousembodiments of communication in the context of sensors.

Now referring to FIG. 3 , a battery pack with a battery managementcomponent 300 that utilizes the MMU for monitoring a status of batterypack is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The battery pack may be consistent with any battery back asdescribed in the entirety of this disclosure. For instance and withoutlimitation, the battery pack 204 may be consistent with the battery packin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/529,447. In one or moreembodiments, electric aircraft battery pack 204 may include a batterymodule 208, which is configured to provide energy to an electricaircraft 304 via a power supply connection 308. For the purposes of thisdisclosure, a “power supply connection” is an electrical and/or physicalcommunication between a battery module 208 and electric aircraft 304that powers electric aircraft 304 and/or electric aircraft subsystemsfor operation. In one or more embodiments, the battery pack may includea plurality of battery modules, such as modules 208 a-n. For example,and without limitation, battery pack 204 may include fourteen batterymodules. In one or more embodiments, each battery module 208 a-n mayinclude a battery cell 212 (shown in FIG. 2 ).

Still referring to FIG. 3 , battery pack 204 may include a batterymanagement component 220 (also referred to herein as a “managementcomponent”). In one or more embodiments, battery management component300 may be integrated into battery pack 204 in a portion of battery pack204 or a subassembly thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, and withoutlimitation, management component 300 may be disposed on a first end ofbattery pack 204. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatthere are various areas in and on a battery pack and/or subassembliesthereof that may include battery management component 300. In one ormore embodiments, battery management component 300 may be disposeddirectly over, adjacent to, facing, and/or near a battery module andspecifically at least a portion of a battery cell. In one or moreembodiments, battery management component 300 includes module monitorunit (MMU) 200, a pack monitoring unit (PMU) 312, and a high voltagedisconnect 316. In one or more embodiments, battery management component300 may also include a sensor 224. For example, and without limitation,battery management component 300 may include a sensor suite having aplurality of sensors, as discussed in this disclosure.

In one or more embodiments, MMU 200 may be mechanically connected andcommunicatively connected to battery module 208. As used herein,“communicatively connected” is a process whereby one device, component,or circuit is able to receive data from and/or transmit data to anotherdevice, component, or circuit. In an embodiment, communicativeconnecting includes electrically connecting at least an output of onedevice, component, or circuit to at least an input of another device,component, or circuit. In one or more embodiments, MMU 200 is configuredto detect a measurement characteristic of battery module 208 of batterypack 204. For the purposes of this disclosure, a “measurementcharacteristic” is detected electrical or physical input and/orphenomenon related to a condition state of battery pack 204. A conditionstate may include detectable information related to, for example, atemperature, a moisture level, a humidity, a voltage, a current, ventgas, vibrations, chemical content, or other measurable characteristicsof battery pack 204, battery module 208, and/or battery cell 212. Forexample, and without limitation, MMU 200 may detect and/or measure ameasurement characteristic, such as a temperature, of battery module208. In one or more embodiments, a condition state of battery pack 204may include a condition state of a battery module 208 and/or batterycell 212. In one or more embodiments, MMU 200 may include a sensor,which may be configured to detect and/or measure measurementcharacteristic. As used in this disclosure, a “sensor” is a device thatis configured to detect an input and/or a phenomenon and transmitinformation and/or datum related to the detection, as discussed furtherbelow in this disclosure. Output signal may include a sensor signal,which transmits information and/or datum related to the sensordetection. A sensor signal may include any signal form described in thisdisclosure, for example digital, analog, optical, electrical, fluidic,and the like. In some cases, a sensor, a circuit, and/or a controllermay perform one or more signal processing steps on a signal. Forinstance, sensor, circuit, and/or controller may analyze, modify, and/orsynthesize a signal in order to improve the signal, for instance byimproving transmission, storage efficiency, or signal to noise ratio.

In one or more embodiments, MMU 200 is configured to transmit ameasurement datum of battery module 208. MMU 200 may generate an outputsignal such as measurement datum that includes information regardingdetected measurement characteristic. For the purposes of thisdisclosure, “measurement datum” is an electronic signal representing aninformation and/or a parameter of a detected electrical and/or physicalcharacteristic and/or phenomenon correlated with a condition state ofbattery pack 204. In one or more embodiments, measurement datum mayinclude temperature value, current value, voltage value, humidity level,pressure level, chemical/byproduct level, vent gas detection, and otherinformation regarding detected characteristics. For example, measurementdatum may include data of a measurement characteristic regarding adetected temperature of battery cell 212. In one or more embodiments,measurement datum may be transmitted by MMU 200 to PMU 312 so that PMU312 may receive measurement datum, as discussed further in thisdisclosure. For example, MMU 200 may transmit measurement data to acontroller 320 of PMU 312.

In one or more embodiments, MMU 200 may include a plurality of MMUs. Forinstance, and without limitation, each battery module 208 a-n mayinclude one or more MMUs 200. For example, and without limitation, eachbattery module 208 a-n may include two MMUs 200 a,b. MMUs 200 a,b may bepositioned on opposing sides of battery module 208. Battery module 208may include a plurality of MMUs to create redundancy so that, if one MMUfails or malfunctions, another MMU may still operate properly. In one ormore nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, MMU 200 may include maturetechnology so that there is a low risk. Furthermore, MMU 200 may notinclude software, for example, to avoid complications often associatedwith programming. MMU 200 is configured to monitor and balance allbattery cell groups of battery pack 204 during charging of battery pack204. For instance, and without limitation, MMU 200 may monitor atemperature of battery module 208 and/or a battery cell of batterymodule 208. For example, and without limitation, MMU may monitor abattery cell group temperature. In another example, and withoutlimitation, MMU 200 may monitor a terminal temperature to, for example,detect a poor HV electrical connection. In one or more embodiments, anMMU 200 may be indirectly connected to PMU 312. In other embodiments,MMU 200 may be directly connected to PMU 312. In one or moreembodiments, MMU 200 may be communicatively connected to an adjacent MMU200.

Still referring to FIG. 3 , battery management component 300 includes apack monitoring unit (PMU) 228 may be connected to MMU 200. In one ormore embodiments, PMU 312 includes a controller 320, which is configuredto receive measurement datum from MMU 200, as previously discussed inthis disclosure. For example, PMU 312 a may receive a plurality ofmeasurement data from MMU 200 a. Similarly, PMU 312 b may receive aplurality of measurement data from MMU 200 b. In one or moreembodiments, PMU 312 may receive measurement datum from MMU 200 viacommunicative connections. For example, PMU 312 may receive measurementdatum from MMU 200 via an isoSPI communications interface. In one ormore embodiments, controller 320 of PMU 312 is configured to identify anoperating of battery module 208 as a function of measurement datum. Forthe purposes of this disclosure, an “operating condition” is a stateand/or working order of battery pack 204 and/or any components thereof.For example, and without limitation, an operating condition may includea state of charge (SoC), a depth of discharge (DoD), a temperaturereading, a moisture level or humidity, a gas level, a chemical level, orthe like. In one or more embodiments, controller 320 of PMU 312 isconfigured to determine a critical event element if operating conditionis outside of a predetermined threshold (also referred to herein as a“predetermined threshold”). For the purposes of this disclosure, a“critical event element” is a failure and/or critical operatingcondition of a battery pack, battery cell, and/or battery module thatmay be harmful to battery pack 204 and/or electric aircraft 304. Forinstance, and without limitation, if an identified operating condition,such as a temperature of a battery cell 212 of battery pack 204, doesnot fall within a predetermined threshold, such as a range ofacceptable, operational temperatures of the battery cell, then acritical event element is determined by controller 320 of PMU 312. Forexample, and without limitation, PMU may use measurement datum from MMUto identify a temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit for a battery cell.If the predetermined threshold is, for example, 65 to 90 degreesFahrenheit, then the determined operating condition is outside of thepredetermined threshold, such as exceeding the upper temperaturethreshold of 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and a critical event element isdetermined by controller 320. As used in this disclosure, a“predetermined threshold” is a limit and/or range of an acceptablequantitative value and/or representation related to a normal operatingcondition of a battery pack and/or components thereof. In one or moreembodiments, an operating condition outside of the threshold is acritical operating condition, which triggers a critical event element,and an operating condition within the threshold is a normal operatingcondition that indicates that battery pack 204 is working properly. Forexample, and without limitation, if an operating condition oftemperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, then battery pack isconsidered to be operating at a critical operating condition and may beat risk of overheating and experiencing a catastrophic failure.

In one or more embodiments, controller 320 of PMU 312 is configured togenerate an action command if critical event element is determined bycontroller 320. For the purposes of this disclosure, a “action command”is a control signal, which is an electrical signal and/or transmissionthat represents a control command. Continuing the previously describedexample above, if an identified operating condition includes atemperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit, which exceeds a predeterminedthreshold, then controller 320 may determine a critical event elementindicating that battery pack 204 is working at a critical temperaturelevel and at risk of catastrophic failure. In one or more embodiments,critical event elements may include high shock/drop, overtemperature,undervoltage, high moisture, contactor welding, and the like.

In one or more embodiments, controller 320 may include a computingdevice (as discussed in FIG. 8 ), a central processing unit (CPU), amicroprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), a control circuit, a combinationthereof, or the like. In one or more embodiments, output signals fromvarious components of battery pack 204 may be analog or digital.Controller 320 may convert output signals from MMU 200 and/or sensor 224to a usable form by the destination of those signals. The usable form ofoutput signals from MMUs and/or sensors, through processor may be eitherdigital, analog, a combination thereof, or an otherwise unstated form.Processing may be configured to trim, offset, or otherwise compensatethe outputs of sensor. Based on MMU and/or sensor output, controller candetermine the output to send to a downstream component. Processor caninclude signal amplification, operational amplifier (Op-Amp), filter,digital/analog conversion, linearization circuit, current-voltage changecircuits, resistance change circuits such as Wheatstone Bridge, an errorcompensator circuit, a combination thereof or otherwise undisclosedcomponents. In one or more embodiments, PMU 312 may run state estimationalgorithms.

In one or more embodiments, MMU 200 may be implemented in batterymanagement system 300 of battery pack 204. MMU 200 may include sensor224, as previously mentioned above in this disclosure. For instance, andwithout limitation, MMU 200 may include a plurality of sensors. Forexample, MMU 200 may include thermistors 220 to detect a temperature ofa corresponding battery module 208 and/or battery cell 212. MMU 200 mayinclude sensor 220 or a sensor suite, such as sensor suite 200 of FIG. 2, that is configured to measure physical and/or electrical parameters ofbattery pack 204, such as without limitation temperature, voltage,current, orientation, or the like, of one or more battery modules and/orbattery cells 212. MMU 200 may configured to generate a measurementdatum of each battery cell 212, which a control circuit may ultimatelyuse to determine a failure within battery module 208 and/or battery cell212, such as a critical event element. Cell failure may be characterizedby a spike in temperature and MMU 200 may be configured to detect thatincrease, which in turn, PMU 312 uses to determine a critical eventelement and generate signals, to disconnect a power supply connectionbetween electric aircraft ** and battery cell 212 and to notify users,support personnel, safety personnel, maintainers, operators, emergencypersonnel, aircraft computers, or a combination thereof. In one or moreembodiments, measurement data of MMU may be stored in memory component324.

Still referring to FIG. 3 , battery management component 300 may includehigh voltage disconnect 232, which is communicatively connected tobattery module 208, wherein high voltage disconnect 232 is configured toterminate power supply connection 212 between battery module 208 andelectric aircraft 304 in response to receiving action command from PMU312. PMU 312 may be configured to determine a critical event element,such as high shock/drop, overtemperature, undervoltage, contactorwelding, and the like. High voltage disconnect 232 is configured toreceive action command generated by PMU 312 and execute a controloperation as a function of the action command. For the purposes of thisdisclosure, a “control operation” is a performance of an action relatedto an action command. For example, and without limitation, high voltagedisconnect may execute a control operation that includes a lock out ofbattery pack 204 for maintenance. In one or more embodiments, PMU 312may create a lockout flag, which may be saved across reboots. A lockoutflag may include an indicator alerting a user of termination of powersupply connection 212 by high voltage disconnect 232. For instance, andwithout limitation, a lockout flag may be saved in a database od PMU 312so that, despite rebooting battery pack 204 or complete loss of power ofbattery pack 204, power supply connection remains terminated and analert regarding the termination remains. In one or more embodiments,lockout flag cannot be removed until a critical event element is nolonger determined by controller 320. For, example, PMU 312 may becontinuously updating an operating condition and determining ifoperating condition is outside of a predetermined threshold. In one ormore embodiments, lockout flag may include an alert on a graphic userinterface of, for example, a remote computing device, such as a mobiledevice, tablet, laptop, desktop and the like. In other embodiments,lockout flag may be indicated to a user via an illuminated LED that isremote or locally located on battery pack 204. In one or moreembodiments, PMU 312 may include control of cell group balancing viaMMUs, control of contactors (high voltage connections, etc.) control ofwelding detection, control of pyro fuses, and the like.

In one or more embodiments, battery management component 300 may includea plurality of PMUs 312. For instance, and without limitation, batterymanagement component 300 may include a pair of PMUs. For example, andwithout limitation, battery management component 300 may include a firstPMU 312 a and a second PMU 312 b, which are each disposed in or onbattery pack 204 and may be physically isolated from each other.“Physical isolation”, for the purposes of this disclosure, refer to afirst system's components, communicative connection, and any otherconstituent parts, whether software or hardware, are separated from asecond system's components, communicative coupling, and any otherconstituent parts, whether software or hardware, respectively.Continuing in reference to the nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, firstPMU 312 a and second PMU 312 b may perform the same or differentfunctions. For example, and without limitation, the first and secondPMUs 312 a,b may perform the same, and therefore, redundant functions.Thus, if one PMU 312 a/b fails or malfunctions, in whole or in part, theother PMU 312 b/a may still be operating properly and therefore batterymanagement component 300 may still operate and function properly forbattery pack 204. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand thatthe terms “first” and “second” do not refer to either PMU as primary orsecondary. In non-limiting embodiments, the first and second PMUs 312a,b, due to their physical isolation, may be configured to withstandmalfunctions or failures in the other system and survive and operate.Provisions may be made to shield first PMU 312 a from PMU 312 b otherthan physical location, such as structures and circuit fuses. Innon-limiting embodiments, first PMU 312 a, second PMU 312 b, orsubcomponents thereof may be disposed on an internal component or set ofcomponents within battery pack 204, such as on battery module senseboard, as discussed further below in this disclosure.

Still referring to FIG. 3 , first PMU 312 a may be electrically isolatedfrom second PMU 312 b. “Electrical isolation”, for the purposes of thisdisclosure, refer to a first system's separation of components carryingelectrical signals or electrical energy from a second system'scomponents. First PMU 312 a may suffer an electrical catastrophe,rendering it inoperable, and due to electrical isolation, second PMU 312b may still continue to operate and function normally, allowing forcontinued management of battery pack 204 of electric aircraft 304.Shielding such as structural components, material selection, acombination thereof, or another undisclosed method of electricalisolation and insulation may be used, in nonlimiting embodiments. Forexample, and without limitation, a rubber or other electricallyinsulating material component may be disposed between electricalcomponents of first and second PMUs 312 a,b, preventing electricalenergy to be conducted through it, isolating the first and second PMUs312 a,b form each other.

With continued reference to FIG. 3 , battery management component 300may include memory component 324, as previously mentioned above in thisdisclosure. In one or more embodiments, memory component 324 may beconfigured to store datum related to battery pack 204, such as datarelated to battery modules 208 a-n and/or battery cells 212. Forexample, and without limitation, memory component 324 may store sensordatum, measurement datum, operation condition, critical event element,lockout flag, and the like. Memory component 324 may include a database.Memory component 324 may include a solid-state memory or tape harddrive. Memory component 324 may be communicatively connected to PMU 312and may be configured to receive electrical signals related to physicalor electrical phenomenon measured and store those electrical signals asbattery module data. Alternatively, memory component 324 may be aplurality of discrete memory components that are physically andelectrically isolated from each other. One of ordinary skill in the artwould understand the virtually limitless arrangements of data storeswith which battery pack 204 could employ to store battery pack data.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment ofa system 400 for a contactor in a battery management in an electricaircraft is illustrated. Contactor 404 may be consistent with anycontactor as described in the entirety of this disclosure. In someembodiments, a contactor 404 may be located within a battery pack. Thebattery pack may be consistent with any battery pack as described in theentirety of this disclosure. An exemplary solenoid-type contactor 404 isillustrated in FIG. 4 , although contactor 404 may be of any type.Contactor 404 may include a solenoid 408. As used in this disclosure, a“solenoid” is an electromechanical system that uses an electromagneticforce to introduce an electrically controllable movement, for examplewithout limitation a translational movement. In some cases, a solenoidmay be normally open or normally closed. Solenoid may be spring loaded,such that when in a state of substantially no electromagnetic force thesolenoid is a predetermined position. Solenoid 408 may be configured toswitch at least a contact 412 a-b. Contacts 412 a-b may include anyconductive material including without limitation metals. In some cases,contacts 412 a-b may be coated, for instance with a coating thatresistant to damage for example, from a resulting arc. For instancecoating may have a high thermal resistance, high hardness, or the like.In some cases, contactor 404 may be normally open or normally closed. Insome cases, a normal position of contactor 404 may be determinedaccording to a pre-loading. Pre-loading force may be applied by acompliant element 416, such as without limitation a spring 416 or anelastic device 416. Exemplary non-limiting springs 416 include torsionsprings, compression springs, coil springs, wave springs, Bellevillewashers, gas springs, and the like. Spring 416 may be configured toposition contacts 412 a-b when little or substantially no electromotiveforce is applied from solenoid 408. Contactor 404 may be configured toprovide electrical communication when contacts 412 a-b are in physicalcontact with one another and provide substantially no electricalcommunication when contacts 412 a-b are not in physical contact.

Still referring to FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, contactor 404 may belocated substantially within the battery pack. For example, contactor404 may be located in series with a conductor 420 disposed between twoor more battery modules 424 a-b. In some cases, system 400 may beconfigured such that when contactor 404 is permitting electricalcommunication via conductor 420, a first battery module 424 a is inelectrical communication with a second battery module 424 b. Firstbattery module 424 a may be in electrical communication with secondbattery module 424 b in series or parallel. In some embodiments, atleast a gas sensor 428 a-b may be configured to detect a gas parameterassociated with a gas associated with an individual battery module 424a-b. For example, in some cases, a first gas sensor 428 a may bedisposed in sensed communication with gas proximal to or discharged fromfirst battery module 424 a and a second gas sensor 428 b may be disposedin sensed communication with gas proximal to or discharged from secondbattery module 424 b. In some cases, computing device may control atleast a contactor 404 in order to electrically isolate battery modules424 a-b from a battery pack. In an exemplary embodiment, a first gassensor 428 a may detect a gas parameter from gas associated with firstbattery module 424 a, which computing device determines is indicative ofa battery condition predisposed to thermal runaway. In this exemplaryembodiment, computing device may control at least a contactor 404 todisengage electrical communication and thereby isolate first batterymodule 424 a, for example from second battery module 424 b and/orbattery pack as a whole.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of amethod 500 for a venting seal for battery modules in an electricaircraft is provided. Method 500, at step 505, may include sealing off,by an independent seal, a battery module of a plurality of batterymodules from a vent conduit during typical operation. Independent sealmay include any independent seal as described herein. In a non-limitingembodiment, the independent seal may include mica materials. For exampleand without limitation, the mica materials may be in any configurationssuch as, but not limited to, sheets, layers, blocks, etc. The batterymodule may include any battery module as described herein. In anon-limiting embodiment, each battery module may include a model monitorunit (MMU). The MMU may include any MMU as described herein. In anon-limiting embodiment, method 500 may include detecting, by a modulemonitor unit, a measured battery data and generating a thermal datum asa function of the measured battery data. The measured battery data mayinclude any measured battery data as described herein. The thermal datummay include any thermal datum as described herein. The vent conduit mayinclude any vent conduit as described herein. Typical operation mayinclude any typical operation as described herein. In a non-limitingembodiment, sealing off by the independent seal may use any sealingmechanism as consistent with the entirety of this disclosure. Personsskilled in the art, upon reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, willbe aware of the various methods and purposes of sealing off batterymodules in the context of ventilation and containment.

Still referring to FIG. 5 , method 500, at step 510, may includeunsealing, by the independent seal, the vent conduit as a function of athermal event. The thermal event may include any thermal event asdescribed herein. In a non-limiting embodiment, the independent seal mayunseal as a function of a thermal threshold. The thermal threshold maybe consistent with any thermal threshold as described herein. In anothernon-limiting embodiment, method 500, at step 510, may include unsealingas a function of any unsealing mechanism as consistent with the entiretyof this disclosure. For example and without limitation, method 500 mayinclude the independent seal melting, deteriorating, and/or weaking as afunction of extreme high heat and temperature from the battery module.In another non-limiting example, method 500 may include the independentseal fracturing and/or breaking apart as a function of high pressureand/or impact from the battery ejecta, chemicals, gases, heat, orcombination thereof exiting from the battery module. Persons skilled inthe art, upon reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, will be awareof the various embodiments and instances of unsealing a vent opening inthe context of ventilation and cooling of a high temperature batterymodule.

Still referring to FIG. 5 , method 500, at step 515, may includedisengaging, by a contactor of an electrical bridging device, the atleast a catalyst battery module from the remaining plurality of batterymodules. The electrical bridging device may include any electricalbridging device as described herein. The at least a catalyst batterymodule may be consistent with any catalyst battery module as describedherein. For example and without limitation, the at least a catalystbattery module may include any battery module experiencing and/orcausing a thermal event. The contactor may be consistent with anycontactor as described herein. The at least a catalyst battery modulemay be consistent with any catalyst battery module as described herein.In a non-limiting embodiment, one or more battery modules may be the atleast a catalyst battery modules. In another non-limiting embodiment,method 500 may include disengaging the at least a catalyst battery as afunction of a thermal threshold. The thermal threshold may include anythermal threshold as described herein. Persons skilled in the art, uponreviewing the entirety of this disclosure, will be aware of the variousmethods in disengaging one or more battery modules in the context ofisolation based on some threshold.

Still referring to FIG. 5 , method 500 may include disengaging, by thecontactor, the at least a catalyst battery module as a function of adisconnect assembly. The disconnect assembly may include any disconnectassembly as described herein. In a non-limiting embodiment, thedisconnect assembly may be communicatively connected to a vent conduitand/or terminal post. The vent conduit may include any vent conduit asdescribed herein. The terminal post may include any terminal post asdescribed herein. In a non-limiting embodiment, each battery module mayinclude a terminal post and/or a vent conduit. In a non-limitingembodiment, method 500 may include cooling the at least a catalystbattery module as a function of a cooling device. The cooling device mayinclude any cooling device as described herein. In a non-limitingembodiment, the cooling device may include cooling fins.

Still referring to FIG. 5 , method 500, at step 520, may includetransferring, by the electrical bridging device electrical energy acrossthe remaining plurality of battery modules. In a non-limitingembodiment, method 500 may include reestablishing a connection betweenthe remaining plurality of battery modules in the event the at least acatalyst battery module is disengaged. Persons skilled in the art, uponreviewing the entirety of this disclosure, will be aware of the variousembodiments of maintaining constant connection for transfer ofelectrical energy in the context of isolating at least a catalystbattery module.

Now referring to FIG. 6 , an exemplary embodiment of an electricaircraft 600 is illustrated in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the present disclosure. An “aircraft”, as described herein, is avehicle that travels through the air. As a non-limiting example,aircraft may include airplanes, helicopters, airships, blimps, gliders,paramotors, drones, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, anaircraft may include one or more electric aircrafts and/or hybridelectric aircrafts. For example, and without limitation, electricaircraft 600 may include an electric vertical takeoff and landing(eVTOL) aircraft, as shown in FIG. 6 . As used herein, a verticaltakeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is an electrically powered aircraftthat can take off and land vertically. An eVTOL aircraft may be capableof hovering. In order, without limitation, to optimize power and energynecessary to propel an eVTOL or to increase maneuverability, the eVTOLmay be capable of rotor-based cruising flight, rotor-based takeoff,rotor-based landing, fixed-wing cruising flight, airplane-style takeoff,airplane-style landing, and/or any combination thereof. Rotor-basedflight is where the aircraft generates lift and propulsion by way of oneor more powered rotors coupled with an engine, such as a “quad copter,”helicopter, or other vehicle that maintains its lift primarily usingdownward thrusting propulsors. Fixed-wing flight, as described herein,flight using wings and/or foils that generate life caused by anaircraft's forward airspeed and the shape of the wings and/or foils,such as in airplane-style flight.

It is to be noted that any one or more of the aspects and embodimentsdescribed herein may be conveniently implemented using one or moremachines (e.g., one or more computing devices that are utilized as auser computing device for an electronic document, one or more serverdevices, such as a document server, etc.) programmed according to theteachings of the present specification, as will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the computer art. Appropriate software coding canreadily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of thepresent disclosure, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe software art. Aspects and implementations discussed above employingsoftware and/or software modules may also include appropriate hardwarefor assisting in the implementation of the machine executableinstructions of the software and/or software module.

Such software may be a computer program product that employs amachine-readable storage medium. A machine-readable storage medium maybe any medium that is capable of storing and/or encoding a sequence ofinstructions for execution by a machine (e.g., a computing device) andthat causes the machine to perform any one of the methodologies and/orembodiments described herein. Examples of a machine-readable storagemedium include, but are not limited to, a magnetic disk, an optical disc(e.g., CD, CD-R, DVD, DVD-R, etc.), a magneto-optical disk, a read-onlymemory “ROM” device, a random access memory “RAM” device, a magneticcard, an optical card, a solid-state memory device, an EPROM, an EEPROM,and any combinations thereof. A machine-readable medium, as used herein,is intended to include a single medium as well as a collection ofphysically separate media, such as, for example, a collection of compactdiscs or one or more hard disk drives in combination with a computermemory. As used herein, a machine-readable storage medium does notinclude transitory forms of signal transmission.

Such software may also include information (e.g., data) carried as adata signal on a data carrier, such as a carrier wave. For example,machine-executable information may be included as a data-carrying signalembodied in a data carrier in which the signal encodes a sequence ofinstruction, or portion thereof, for execution by a machine (e.g., acomputing device) and any related information (e.g., data structures anddata) that causes the machine to perform any one of the methodologiesand/or embodiments described herein.

Examples of a computing device include, but are not limited to, anelectronic book reading device, a computer workstation, a terminalcomputer, a server computer, a handheld device (e.g., a tablet computer,a smartphone, etc.), a web appliance, a network router, a networkswitch, a network bridge, any machine capable of executing a sequence ofinstructions that specify an action to be taken by that machine, and anycombinations thereof. In one example, a computing device may includeand/or be included in a kiosk.

FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of acomputing device in the exemplary form of a computer system 700 withinwhich a set of instructions for causing a control system to perform anyone or more of the aspects and/or methodologies of the presentdisclosure may be executed. It is also contemplated that multiplecomputing devices may be utilized to implement a specially configuredset of instructions for causing one or more of the devices to performany one or more of the aspects and/or methodologies of the presentdisclosure. Computer system 700 includes a processor 704 and a memory708 that communicate with each other, and with other components, via abus 712. Bus 712 may include any of several types of bus structuresincluding, but not limited to, a memory bus, a memory controller, aperipheral bus, a local bus, and any combinations thereof, using any ofa variety of bus architectures.

Processor 704 may include any suitable processor, such as withoutlimitation a processor incorporating logical circuitry for performingarithmetic and logical operations, such as an arithmetic and logic unit(ALU), which may be regulated with a state machine and directed byoperational inputs from memory and/or sensors; processor 704 may beorganized according to Von Neumann and/or Harvard architecture as anon-limiting example. Processor 704 may include, incorporate, and/or beincorporated in, without limitation, a microcontroller, microprocessor,digital signal processor (DSP), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA),Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), Graphical Processing Unit(GPU), general purpose GPU, Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), analog ormixed signal processor, Trusted Platform Module (TPM), a floating pointunit (FPU), and/or system on a chip (SoC).

Memory 708 may include various components (e.g., machine-readable media)including, but not limited to, a random-access memory component, a readonly component, and any combinations thereof. In one example, a basicinput/output system 716 (BIOS), including basic routines that help totransfer information between elements within computer system 700, suchas during start-up, may be stored in memory 708. Memory 708 may alsoinclude (e.g., stored on one or more machine-readable media)instructions (e.g., software) 720 embodying any one or more of theaspects and/or methodologies of the present disclosure. In anotherexample, memory 708 may further include any number of program modulesincluding, but not limited to, an operating system, one or moreapplication programs, other program modules, program data, and anycombinations thereof.

Computer system 700 may also include a storage device 724. Examples of astorage device (e.g., storage device 724) include, but are not limitedto, a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disc drive incombination with an optical medium, a solid-state memory device, and anycombinations thereof. Storage device 724 may be connected to bus 712 byan appropriate interface (not shown). Example interfaces include, butare not limited to, SCSI, advanced technology attachment (ATA), serialATA, universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394 (FIREWIRE), and anycombinations thereof. In one example, storage device 724 (or one or morecomponents thereof) may be removably interfaced with computer system 700(e.g., via an external port connector (not shown)). Particularly,storage device 724 and an associated machine-readable medium 728 mayprovide nonvolatile and/or volatile storage of machine-readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, and/or other data forcomputer system 700. In one example, software 720 may reside, completelyor partially, within machine-readable medium 728. In another example,software 720 may reside, completely or partially, within processor 704.

Computer system 700 may also include an input device 732. In oneexample, a user of computer system 700 may enter commands and/or otherinformation into computer system 700 via input device 732. Examples ofan input device 732 include, but are not limited to, an alpha-numericinput device (e.g., a keyboard), a pointing device, a joystick, agamepad, an audio input device (e.g., a microphone, a voice responsesystem, etc.), a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a touchpad, anoptical scanner, a video capture device (e.g., a still camera, a videocamera), a touchscreen, and any combinations thereof. Input device 732may be interfaced to bus 712 via any of a variety of interfaces (notshown) including, but not limited to, a serial interface, a parallelinterface, a game port, a USB interface, a FIREWIRE interface, a directinterface to bus 712, and any combinations thereof. Input device 732 mayinclude a touch screen interface that may be a part of or separate fromdisplay 736, discussed further below. Input device 732 may be utilizedas a user selection device for selecting one or more graphicalrepresentations in a graphical interface as described above.

A user may also input commands and/or other information to computersystem 700 via storage device 724 (e.g., a removable disk drive, a flashdrive, etc.) and/or network interface device 740. A network interfacedevice, such as network interface device 740, may be utilized forconnecting computer system 700 to one or more of a variety of networks,such as network 744, and one or more remote devices 748 connectedthereto. Examples of a network interface device include, but are notlimited to, a network interface card (e.g., a mobile network interfacecard, a LAN card), a modem, and any combination thereof. Examples of anetwork include, but are not limited to, a wide area network (e.g., theInternet, an enterprise network), a local area network (e.g., a networkassociated with an office, a building, a campus or other relativelysmall geographic space), a telephone network, a data network associatedwith a telephone/voice provider (e.g., a mobile communications providerdata and/or voice network), a direct connection between two computingdevices, and any combinations thereof. A network, such as network 744,may employ a wired and/or a wireless mode of communication. In general,any network topology may be used. Information (e.g., data, software 720,etc.) may be communicated to and/or from computer system 700 via networkinterface device 740.

Computer system 700 may further include a video display adapter 752 forcommunicating a displayable image to a display device, such as displaydevice 736. Examples of a display device include, but are not limitedto, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), a plasmadisplay, a light emitting diode (LED) display, and any combinationsthereof. Display adapter 752 and display device 736 may be utilized incombination with processor 704 to provide graphical representations ofaspects of the present disclosure. In addition to a display device,computer system 700 may include one or more other peripheral outputdevices including, but not limited to, an audio speaker, a printer, andany combinations thereof. Such peripheral output devices may beconnected to bus 712 via a peripheral interface 756. Examples of aperipheral interface include, but are not limited to, a serial port, aUSB connection, a FIREWIRE connection, a parallel connection, and anycombinations thereof.

The foregoing has been a detailed description of illustrativeembodiments of the invention. Various modifications and additions can bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.Features of each of the various embodiments described above may becombined with features of other described embodiments as appropriate inorder to provide a multiplicity of feature combinations in associatednew embodiments. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number ofseparate embodiments, what has been described herein is merelyillustrative of the application of the principles of the presentinvention. Additionally, although particular methods herein may beillustrated and/or described as being performed in a specific order, theordering is highly variable within ordinary skill to achieve methods,systems, and software according to the present disclosure. Accordingly,this description is meant to be taken only by way of example, and not tootherwise limit the scope of this invention.

Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes, omissions and additions may be made to that whichis specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for a venting seal for battery modulesin an electric aircraft, the method comprising: sealing off, by anindependent seal, a battery module of a plurality of battery modulesfrom a vent conduit during typical operation; unsealing, by theindependent seal, the vent conduit as a function of a thermal event;disengaging, by a contactor of an electrical bridging device, at least acatalyst battery module from the remaining plurality of battery modules;and transferring, by the electrical bridging device, electrical energyacross the remaining plurality of battery modules.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein method further comprises regulating, by the contactor,electrical connection to the plurality of battery modules.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein disengaging the at least a catalyst battery modulefurther comprises disengaging the at least a catalyst battery as afunction of a thermal threshold.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein themethod further comprises disengaging, by the contactor, the at least acatalyst battery module as a function of a disconnect assembly.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein each battery module further comprises amodule monitor unit, the method further comprises: detecting, by amodule monitor unit, a measured battery data; and generating a thermaldatum as a function of the measured battery data.
 6. The method of claim5, wherein the method further comprises: determining, by a computingdevice communicatively connected to the module monitor unit, a thermalevent for the at least a catalyst battery module as a function of thethermal datum and a thermal threshold; and isolating the at least acatalyst battery module as a function of the contactor.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein independent seal further comprises a plurality of micamaterials.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method furthercomprises reestablishing, by the contactor, an electrical connection asa function of breaking off the at least a catalyst battery module. 9.The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises cooling, bythe vent the at least a catalyst battery cell as a function of a coolingdevice.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the cooling device furthercomprises a cooling fin, the method comprising dissipating, by thecooling fin heat from the at least a catalyst battery module within thevent conduit.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein each battery module ofthe plurality of battery modules comprises a vent conduit.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the battery module comprises at least a pouchcell.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the independent seal comprisesmica.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the contactor is normallyclosed.
 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising powering anelectric aircraft using the plurality of battery modules.
 16. The methodof claim 15, wherein powering the electric aircraft further comprisespowering at least a propulsor using the plurality of battery modules.17. The method of claim 16, wherein the propulsor is a lift propulsor.18. The method of claim 16, wherein the propulsor is a thrust propulsor.19. The method of claim 15, wherein the electric aircraft is an electricvertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
 20. The method of claim19, wherein the eVTOL aircraft comprises at least a lift propulsor andat least a thrust propulsor.